The Trailhead development could help transform north Peoria

• "The shopping here and the restaurants that are kind of coming in here are going to change this area of Peoria," Peoria Mayor Jason Beck told Axios after the ceremony.
• The area is growing substantially — Beck noted that 4,600 homes are being built near the development — but there are few retail and fine dining opportunities, project developer Jim Pederson said.

Driving the news: The Pederson Group announced Wednesday it had signed leases with two new tenants — Mexican restaurant Tacos & Craft and Sparrow, an American-themed restaurant from the creators of Squid Ink.

• Beck said Chick-fil-A has also applied for permits for a restaurant.
• Announcements about other "first-to-the-market" restaurants at The Trailhead will be made in the coming months, a Pederson Group spokesperson said.
• A huge Safeway grocery store is under construction, alongside a 350-unit apartment complex, retail shops, a church and other establishments.

The big picture: Beck said 85% of Peoria residents work in other Valley cities, and he wants to see more job opportunities there.

• He noted that Amkor is opening a $2 billion semiconductor testing and advanced packaging facility in Peoria, which will create 2,000 jobs.
• The mayor said there will be other major economic development announcements over the next few months —some of which will be bigger than Amkor.